Individual Consultant - Procurement Associate

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency focused on reproductive health and rights, aiming to ensure that every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of approximately 4,000 employees. The organization is dedicated to advancing the goals of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 203

• UNFPA's mission is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending unmet needs for family planning, preventing maternal deaths, eliminating gender-based violence, and adapting to demographic changes through evidence-based policies. The Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU) was made operational in January 2022 and is self-funded, ensuring the effective delivery of life-saving reproductive health products and other supplies to end users.

Job Overview:
The Individual Consultant will play a crucial role in supporting the Supply Chain Solutions (SCS) Team within the UNFPA Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU). The consultant's primary responsibility will be to ensure the execution of transparent and efficient procurement and supply chain services for UNFPA's external partners. This position requires close collaboration with various stakeholders, including governmental partners, NGOs, UN agencies, and internal teams such as the SCMU Inventory Team, Finance Team, Procurement Services Teams, Quality Assurance Team, and the Strategic Sourcing Team. The consultant will report directly to the UNFPA Supply Chain Solutions and Relations Analyst, and will be expected to deliver high-impact results while maintaining excellent relationships with partners. The role is designed to enhance the capacity of governments and implementing partners in supply chain and logistics management, ensuring accountability and visibility across all UNFPA programs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for a range of procurement and supply chain activities, including administering, executing, and coordinating procurement services for external partners. This involves providing effective guidance throughout the procurement process, preparing Pro-forma Invoices in the Order Management System (OMS), processing and dispatching purchase orders (POs) in the ERP system, monitoring shipments, and ensuring the accuracy of shipping documents. The consultant will also handle invoice payments, close POs, and prepare reconciliations with the Finance Team. Additionally, the consultant will ensure that supply chain information is clearly communicated to external partners, maintain updated records in the Customer Relationship Management system, and support the StoreFront Third-Party Procurement project as needed. The consultant may also be required to carry out other duties as assigned by the Team Lead.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have completed secondary education, with a university degree at the Bachelor level in fields such as Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Procurement, Logistics, International Relations, Development Studies, or International Commerce being an asset. A professional Supply Chain Management certification such as CIPS or CILT at basic qualification (Level 2) is also considered an additional asset. Strong interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills are essential, along with the ability to develop and maintain partnerships with external stakeholders. Familiarity with public procurement rules and regulations, as well as experience in pharmaceutical and contraceptive product supply chain management, is highly desirable. Knowledge of Google tools, analytical applications, and Oracle ERP systems is advantageous.

Educational Background:
The educational requirements for this position include the completion of secondary education as a minimum. A Bachelor's degree in relevant fields such as Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related disciplines is preferred. Additional certifications in Supply Chain Management, such as those from CIPS or CILT, are considered beneficial and may enhance a candidate's qualifications.

Experience:
A minimum of six years of experience in international procurement, logistics, or supply chain operations within a large multinational or international organization is required. Candidates should have a proven track record of managing complex procurement processes and navigating public sector requests. Experience working with UNFPA or another UN agency is a strong asset, as is familiarity with import compliance for pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, working knowledge of at least one of the UN languages, such as French, Spanish, or Russian, is highly desirable and may enhance a candidate's competitiveness for the role.

Additional Notes:
The duration of the consultancy assignment is eleven months, with a working schedule from Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, in accordance with the current schedule of the SCMU in Copenhagen. UNFPA promotes a work environment that values gender equality, diversity, and integrity, and encourages applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds, including women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, minority ethnic groups, and persons with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA is committed to equal opportunities in recruitment, training, and compensation, and does not charge any fees during the application process.